A NEW non-emergency police number has been launched in York and North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Police yesterday became the latest force in the country to launch the new national police number 101 – replacing the current non-emergency number 0845 6060247.

Calls will still be answered by the same force control room in York.

The number is being rolled out nationally to make it easier for people to contact the police.

Local residents who wish to report non-emergency crimes or incidents such as minor traffic collisions or criminal damage, discuss antisocial behaviour or speak to a local neighbourhood officer or PCSO about an issue affecting their community should call the new number – which will still be answered by the same force control room in York.

North Yorkshire Police’s control room staff currently take more than 500,000 calls a year and the force said the new arrangements would also mean an improved service for crime victims and vulnerable people as often the force received a non-emergency call about a matter that should have gone to another body.

With the new number callers will be able obtain a range of services such as reporting a crime, request crime prevention advice or pass on information.

If the call needs an immediate response because it is an emergency or there is an on-going crime an operator will send an officer straight away.

However, if a less immediate response is needed, an operator will send a log out for an officer to visit at a convenient time.

If necessary operators will deal with calls immediately – for example by creating a crime report or advising the further action the caller can take – contacting another agency.

All 101 calls will cost 15p, even from a mobile and no matter how long.

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “101 is a memorable number which will make it easier for people to report non-emergency crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as contacting the local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

“It is designed to make the police even more accessible to our communities while at the same time reducing pressure on the 999 system, meaning every caller receives the best possible service.”

When calling 101, the system will determine the caller’s location and play a recorded message announcing the police force they’re being connected to. If they are on a boundary between two or more forces, the recorded message will give them a choice of which force to be connected to.

For more information about 101, go to police.uk/101.